"He who in any way compares himself with his fellow ascetics or with the brethren who live with him is unaware that he deceives himself and treads a path alien to God. Either he does not know himself or he has deviated from the path that leads heavenwards. But by following this path in modesty of mind, those more spiritually advanced surmount the devil's ploys and, winged by dispassion and adorned with humility, they attain the heights of spiritual illumination."

Nikitas Stithatos, "On the Practice of the Virtues" #83. The Philokalia, vol. 4, page101.

#Philokalia #SpiritualPath

Was sad to learn of the passing in August of Metropolitan #KallistosWare of the #OrthodoxChurch in #britain – I enjoyed his English translation of the #Philokalia and his witty and wise interviews as well as books about the ancient Orthodox Christian faith . He also promoted the idea of women returning to role of Deaconess in Orthodoxy https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2022/08/24/kallistos-ware-world-renowned-scholar-bishop-who-did-much-raise/

My main interests as #primarysources are the #ApostlicFathers, #Irenaeus, #Origen, the #desertfathers, #Evagrius, #JohnCassian #MaximusTheConfessor, #GregoryPalamas, and the #Philokalia and its accompanying literature.